From the Expert: Also known as your 30-second commercial, the elevator pitch is a short, persuasive statement about who you are and what you can do for a company.

You absolutely need one, as it is "YOU marketing YOU" in 30 to 60 seconds – or about the time it takes to ride from the top to the bottom of a building in an elevator.

Your elevator pitch should include:  

• Your name and overarching career goal. 

• Your unique value-added/what you do/area of expertise. 

• Your proudest accomplishments, relative to the listener.

• A conclusion where you can engage with a question (“But enough about me ... what do you do?”) 

Whenever you’re asked: “So, what are your plans?” or “What’s next for you?” be prepared with your succinct elevator pitch. Learn more here.